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I think it depends on how comfortable you are eating out with your child. I am fine seeing kids when we are eating out. I want to see them sitting at their table, not running around the restaurant yelling and dancing. I don't personally want to take my child to a "nice" or expensive/fancy restaurant just because if I'm spending a lot on my dinner, I want to enjoy it. I don't want to have to worry that my child is going to disturb another diner and I don't want to cut someone elses food for them at a time like that.

I think most places where you can walk in without a reservation are "kid friendly" unless you've read otherwise. SUPER kid friendly would be fast food or a place with a kid gym in it. Even at places like that (Chick Fil A) kids eat at the table and then go play in the play gym.

In my opinion, as long as your lo is relatively well behaved, anyplace is family friendly before 7:30ish. We don't take lo to super fancy restaurants yet but we take her to trendy places, places with music or a bar scene and not only has it never been an issue early, but we always see other families with young children early in the evening.

I think it's kid friendly if it has high chairs!

You're eating early, so you're already golden. Nothing super fancy. Just a casual eatery. I don't mind kids as long as the parents don't let them run around the tables and chairs (i hate this) or they shriek the whole time and the parents don't remove them. So i think if you pick affordable eateries, you'll be fine! And your kid will see other kids eating, too.

Ask the concierge, too!

Yeah if it has a kids menu than I would consider it a kid-friendly place.

If they have high chairs and/or a "kids" menu. But if it's early enough, I wouldn't worry about it.

I call and ask if they have high chairs. To me, that's code for "can I bring a baby/toddler"? Kids menus are like the next step up.

The other thing we do is just poke our head in and see how many kids are already there and/or the noise level. We avoid places where it is very quiet and it looks like no other kids are present.

@hotchildinthecity: Rules: "Don't be a jackass parent". The fact that you're concerned means you'll be fine

I agree with PP that it is more about timing and how your LO behaves/how you handle them. Most mid-price restaurants are pretty kid friendly in the afternoon/early evening. You might check out a "things to do with kids" website. I know one of the more popular sites in my city has a list of family friendly restaurants that are good restaurants that are kid friendly without being kid centric (no Chucky Cheese or McDonalds Playlands.)

We stayed in that area of Philly for a girl's weekend a few years ago. We had a lot of great meals by checking out yelp. The best one that I remeber was the Original Dim Sum Garden on 11th St. It's a little hole in the wall, but it was really good. We did dessert at Max Brenner's which was yummy too.

I live in probably one of the most kid-populated neighborhoods in NYC (well, in Brooklyn), so at this point I'll take my kids just about anywhere! I'd echo what others said:

- Be willing to fold your stroller/leave it at the door if space is tight, or take a crummy table near the kitchen if you want to set up the stroller at the table (so that

- Calling ahead to ask about high chairs is smart - I try to do this, or I pop my head in before we actually head to the restaurant

- As long as you're going to be out before "prime time" dining starts for dates/couples without kids, I think any restaurant is fair game

- If you feel better having your little one contained, invest in a TotSeat - they're great when places don't have high chairs (or are so busy they run out) and there's no room for your stroller: http://www.amazon.com/Totseat-Chair-Harness-Squashable-Chocolate/dp/B001QC77W0

I'm a big believer in taking kids to restaurants/other places from an early age - it's a great way to teach them social skills and proper behavior. My goofball 2.5 year old loves making silly banter with the waitresses - she tells them she'd like a coffee, please, and loves the reaction she gets.

Have fun exploring!

Check on Mommy Poppins or Mommy Nearest - they have lots of kid-friendly restaurant suggestions in the city!

The only restaurants I don’t consider fair game for well behaved children are places that are genuine “white-linen dining” – IMO, everything else is fair game.

One note about kid’s menus; they often are crap, and you’ll do just as well ordering off an adult menu for a kid. Don’t discount a place because it doesn’t have a kids menu, many places we regularly go with LO don’t have printed kids menus. Some have “silent” kids menus (i.e., the waiter tells us the kitchen can make so-and-so for LO), and plenty have appetizers or sides that will constitute a totally valid meal for LO, while still being cheaper than ordering her an entree.

We usually go at 5 or 5:30 which seems to be "family time." We even go to trendy bar/restaurants, etc. which often work the best because they have cement floors and are already loud. There are actually quite a few bars and restaurants in my area that have play areas for kids. They are in the hipster-y neighborhoods.

Most restaurants are fair game to me, especially because we go early and never eat at true white-linen dining establishments. However, I do stay away from restaurants that don't have a changing table in the bathroom. I can't tell you how many times I've gone someplace that had high chairs but no changing table.

Yeah, I assume any place with high chairs or boosters are kid friendly--almost every place in my town is, including pubs.

I agree with pp that it depends on your child. I don't have kids yet (still cooking!) but it doesn't bother me seeing kids out at restaurants as long as they are well behaved. I also never go out past 8 pm, lol!

For example, a few months ago I was picking up dinner at a fast casual restaurant which is totally family friendly. While waiting for my order I observed 2 moms with about 4 kids who were all acting ridiculous. The older kids were jumping on the booth while their mom was on her cell phone. The baby was feeding herself noodles and getting them all over the floor. I was really irritated because these moms weren't being attentive to their kids.